This study attests that looking good makes oral cancer patients feel good about themselves. Cosmetic rehabilitation training should be part of oral nursing care. [Huang S, 2008]
2006 study by Millsopp et.al looked at facial disfigurement in oral and oropharyngeal cancer cases post surgery. The researchers specifically studied the type of support that was offered to patients who had reported distress pertaining to their appearance after their surgeries. Of the 278 patients who had undergone surgical treatment for oral and oropharyngeal cancer between 1995 and 1999 at the Liverpool University dental hospital, 114 patients had expressed distress about their appearance in the University of Washington Quality of Life Scale (UWQOL). However, when the researchers cross checked the clinical notes for these patients only 7 of them had any mention about appearance dissatisfaction and among them only 4 received cosmetic rehabilitation. (2 scar revisions and 2 oral rehabilitations). This research clearly highlighted the lack of recognition for the patients' concerns about their appearance. [Millsopp L, 2006]
Holistic Care Provision
The IOM committee advocates Psychosocial health services as "psychological and social services and interventions that enable patients, their families, and health care providers to optimize biomedical health care and to manage the psychological/behavioral and social aspects of illness and its consequences so as to promote better health." [Nancy E. Adler, pg 9] Oncology nurses today are expected to provide a wide array of services that extend beyond simple pre and postoperative physical care. For holistic cancer care provision a whole new dimension of nursing care is expected. In particular today's oncology nurses should be knowledgeable and provide counseling and training programs on cosmetic rehabilitation programs and make sure that the psychological and psychosocial needs of the patient are well cared for.
Conclusion
The statement 'Look Better Fell Better' definitely holds true in the case of cancer patients who have to endure the rigors of the disease and the effects of its treatment. Health is not just a physical factor but a dynamic interaction of physical, psychological...
For so long, there has been a huge gap between the physical care and the psychological care for cancer patients. Today however, there is more understanding of the importance of addressing the psychological and psychosocial needs of the cancer patient. Cancer nurses today are expected to provide a whole spectrum of services that cater to the physical, psychological and psychosocial needs. Cosmetic rehabilitation training programs have become a part of the nursing care. Looking good makes a cancer patient feel good and the sense of feeling good is important for a positive prognosis. This makes it easier for the patient in the whole continuum of cancer care.
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